According to the data, the recession has caused child poverty rates to increase in 38 states. The research found that 20 percent of American children - nearly 15 million - were living below the poverty line in 2009. That figure reflects a 2.5 million increase in the number of poor kids since 2000.

Children in Nevada have been hardest hit by the recession. The Midwest state has the highest number of children whose parents are unemployed or underemployed.

About 13 percent of children in Nevada have been kicked out of their homes because of unpaid mortages.

Between 2000 and 2009, child poverty rates increased nationwide nearly 10 percent, according to the research.